SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Amat Camacho N, Karki K, Subedi S, von Schreeb J. Prehosp. Disaster Med. 2019; 34(3): 260-264.

Affiliation

Centre for Research on Health Care in Disasters, Global Health-Health Systems and Policy Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet,Stockholm,Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S1049023X19004291

PMID

31057142

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: International Emergency Medical Teams' (I-EMTs) response to disasters has been characterized by a late arrival, an over-focus on trauma care, and a lack of coordination and accountability mechanisms. Analysis of I-EMT performance in past and upcoming disasters is deemed necessary to improve future response.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the characteristics, timing, and activities of I-EMTs deployed to the 2015 Nepal earthquake, and to assess their registration and adherence to the World Health Organization Emergency Medical Teams' (WHO-EMT; Geneva, Switzerland) minimum standards compared to past disasters.

METHODS: An online literature search was performed and key web sites related to I-EMT deployments were purposively examined. The methodology used is reported following the STARLITE principles. All articles and documents in English containing information about characteristics, timing, and activities of I-EMTs during Nepal 2015 were included in the study. Data were retrieved from selected sources to compile the results following a systematic approach. The findings were validated by the Nepalese focal point for the coordination of I-EMTs after the earthquake.

RESULTS: Overall, 137 I-EMTs deployed from 36 countries. They were classified as Type I (65%), Type II (15%), Type III (1%), and specialized cells (19%). Although national teams remained the first responders, two regional I-EMTs arrived within the first 24 hours post-earthquake. According to daily reporting, the activities performed by I-EMTs included 28,372 out-patient consultations (comprising 6,073 trauma cases); 1,499 in-patient admissions; and 440 major surgeries. The activities reported by I-EMTs during their deployment were significantly lower than the capacities they offered at arrival. Over 80% of I-EMTs registered through WHO or national registration mechanisms, but daily reporting of activities by I-EMTs was low. The adherence of I-EMTs to WHO-EMT standards could not be assessed due to lack of data.

CONCLUSION: The I-EMT response to the Nepal earthquake was quicker than in previous disasters, and registration and follow-up of I-EMTs was better. Still, there is need to improve I-EMT coordination, reporting, and quality assurance while strengthening national EMT capacity.


Language: en

Keywords

EMT: Emergency Medical Team; HEOC: Health Emergency Operations Centre; I-EMT: International Emergency Medical Team; MOHP: Ministry of Health and Population; N-EMT: National Emergency Medical Team; NHRC: Nepal Health Research Council; SOD: sudden-onset disaster; WHO: World Health Organization; Emergency Medical Teams; disaster response; earthquake

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print